Salesforce has fast been emerging as the choicest CRM platform for businesses across the globe, especially in the present-day scenario where simply meeting the customers’ needs and expectations is not enough! When busineses are on the lookout for measures to go above and beyond to make their customers beyond happy, Salesforce plays a key role. Right from ensuring enhanced marketing, improved customer services and greater sales, to literally trasnforming the way a business operates, Salesforce has taken the business world by a storm!

As good as the platform is, it is in fact, fairly technical and needs a fair amount of expertise to operate and more importantly to attain the true potentoal of its CRM capabilities. It is at this very point, that the role of a Salesforce Consultant comes into the limelight.

If you have been contemplating hiring the services of a Salesforce Consultant, then read on to know more about this subject so that you can take a decision that perfectly aligns with your organizations goals.

 Who is a Salesforce Consultant?

A Salesforce consultant can be defined as a professional with an expertise in handling a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. In addition to having the complete know-how of the platform, the consultant is also aware of the most recent applications launched or offered by the platform, along with the various upgrades that come from time to time.

Salesforce Consultants can enable improved integrations, make custom tools, and use the platform’s full capabilities such that every single business benefits from this exemplary paltform.

Key Roles and Responsibilities of a Salesforce Consultant

Salesforce consultants essentially specialize in providing consulting services pertaining to Salesforce CRM technology, and are responsible for managing client relationships, understanding their business processes, and providing the right solutions to complex business problems. Here are the five key responsibilities of a Salesforce consultant:

Relationship Management

Salesforce consultants must build and maintain strong relationships with clients. They must understand the client’s organisational needs, goals, and objectives, and provide solutions that meet their requirements. They must also be able to communicate effectively and provide ongoing support to clients.

Project Planning

Consultants are responsible for planning the right solutions to address client issues. They must identify project scope, labor hours, deadlines, and other essential factors required for project success. They further plan the execution of solutions in the client’s business model.

Salesforce Knowledge

Consultants must have a good understanding of Salesforce.com and programming languages such as Java or C#. Basic knowledge of Visualforce and Apex will help them tailor their expertise and stand out to clients. They must also stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the Salesforce ecosystem.

Strategic Decision-Making

Many businesses use consulting services to make strategic corporate growth and operation decisions. Consultants must work with the team strategically to build implementation methods that meet the company’s objectives. They must make thoughtful CRM system adjustments that will help the company grow over time.

Designing to Deployment of Salesforce Platform

After planning, consultants work with a team of certified Salesforce developers to design, build, train, and deploy the Salesforce setup. They ensure efficient implementation and provide essential training to clients, allowing them to utilize the Salesforce org better.

 

Things to Consider while Hiring a Salesforce Consultant

When hiring a Salesforce consultant, there are several important factors that should be taken into consideration. Here are some key things to keep in mind –

Ample Research

Hiring Salesforce Partners can prove to be a cost-intensive affair, and hence, it is important to do your research and look for a consultant who has experience dealing with the usual problems that are faced in your field of business.

Compatibility

The consultant you hire should have knowledge and understanding of your field of business, which will help them provide the right solutions to meet your needs. This will ensure that you are able to reap the benefits of their expertise, without the need for much input from your end.

Certifications

Since it is in your interest to have a Salesforce Developer and Consultant who can facilitate a long-term association, it is important to verify that they have the necessary credentials and certifications to ensure their knowledge in the field.

Value for Money

Rather than simply concentrating on the average hourly rate of a Salesforce Consultant, it is crucial to focus on finding a consultant who can meet your demands and provide efficient results. This will ensure that you enjoy a higher return on your investment, making the move truly valuable for your business.

Scope of Work

Before beginning the project, clearly communicate your project management needs, your expectations from the project execution, the risk management strategy, and the final output with your Salesforce Consulting Partner. This will enable more efficient functioning and will help avoid any disputes over time.

Past Experiences

The consultant you hire should have prior experience in your field or with projects similar to yours, which will make them more effective problem-solvers and improve the implementation process. This will also help your business to progress in a more efficient manner, thereby helping you improve the bottom line.

 

Cost Overview To Hire Salesforce Consultant

Consulting costs for Salesforce Partners are usually determined on the basis of the type of engagement an organization needs, as well as the scope of the overall project. In some cases, the location of the Salesforce Administrators also matter.

Anyhow, largely speaking, Salesforce Consulting Rates can be understood well, based on the type of hiring. Three of the most prominent ways of hiring salesforce consultants include –

• Fixed Cost Salesforce Contractor
• Salesforce Consultants on Monthly Retainer
• Salesforce Developer (Hourly Rate)

The following table will help you understand the pros and cons of each type of hiring, and the cost that you might to incur for the same.

TABLE INCLUDED IN THE WORD DOC SHARED SEPARATELY

In addition to the timeline for which the consultant is hired, the cost of hiring Salesforce Consultants may also vary based on the type of engagement that an organization needs. There are three types of engagement that an organization might need, including –

Large Scale Engagement as offered by a Salesforce Consulting Company

Authorized by Salesforce, consulting companies specialize in designing and delivering custom solutions, project implementations, and integrations. Equipped with appropriate training, these companies help guide the innovation process and assist other businesses in discovering new ways to connect with their customers.

Medium Scale Enegagemnet as offered by a Dedicated Salesforce Consultant

The responsibility of a Salesforce Consultant is to establish and enhance Salesforce products according to the client’s needs, ensuring the solutions are effective and scalable. Their job involves diverse tasks such as system setup, data collection, and project management that require a certain level of emotional intelligence.

Small Scale Engagemnet as offered by Freelance Salesforce Consultant

Freelance Salesforce Consultants offer their skills and expertise to Salesforce clients on a project basis or for a specific duration of time. The primary focus of Salesforce freelance work is to leverage knowledge and proficiency with the platform to assist clients in optimizing their use of Salesforce.

We hope that these models must have helped you in understanding the Salesforce Consultant Cost based on different factors such as the type of consulting partners and the type of engagement. It is our belief, that this distinction will help you make the right decision for the Salesforce consulting needs of your business.

 

Why Hiring Salesforce Consultants is Crucial for Your Business?

Whether you hire in-house Salesforce Professionals for your organization or hire the services of a Salesforce Consulting Firm, you will surely reap many benefits from their services. Some of the most noteworthy benefits of having consulting partners for your business include-

1. Immense Expertise

While your in-house staff can handle the installation and configuration of the Salesforce Platform, they may not have the necessary expertise to exploit the full potential of the app. Having an expert on board not only enables you to gain more out of the platform but also assures you that any difficulties arising along the way would be handled with utmost efficiency.

2. Time-Saving

A vast majority of consulting partners have Salesforce Technical Architects on board. Since these architects have an in-depth understanding of the technology as well as its applications, they ensure a quick turnaround time for all your Salesforce needs. This helps your organization save on valuable time, thus giving you an edge over your competition.

3. Lower Implementation Costs

In order to install and implement salesforce, your internal staff will need to put in innumerable hours, and even days to accomplish the task. However, with a knowledgeable salesforce consultant, you could achieve the same goals within a few minutes. Thanks to this expertise, you can rest assured of having to incur significantly low salesforce implementation costs for your business.

 

Our Take

While Salesforce in itself is one of the most efficient CRM platforms available for business, it does have its fair share of technical issues that need to be dealt with from time to time. Having the right Salesforce Talent can help you navigate these problems with ease. Moreover, with Salesforce Development Services it will become fairly easy for your internal team to adapt to the platform. So, wait no more before you chose to hire salesforce consultants for your business, and we are sure you will experience that the benefits of doing so, far outweigh the costs!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Role of Consultant for Salesforce

What is the prerequisite in a Salesforce Consultant?

Salesforce Knowledge is one of the most important aspects to look for when you are hiring a Salesforce Consultant. Their educational qualifications may not matter as much, but they should have the expertise, and preferably experience in Sales Cloud configuration. It is always helpful to hire a consultant who has certifications from the Salesforce Administrator and Platform App Builder.

Should I Ask if the Salesforce Consultant I am hiring is willing to travel?

Yes. While your consultant may not always be required to travel depending upon your organizational structure, it is recommended to hire salesforce admins or consultants who are willing to travel, as and when needed.

Is a Salesforce Developer different than a Salesforce consultant?

Yes, there is a significant difference between these two Salesforce Professionals. While Salesforce Consultants undertake the responsibility of working with clients to help them utilize this technology to its full potential, Salesforce Developers (Salesforce Architects) are tasked to anticipate changes in the business and technology landscapes of the platform and implement Salesforce features as per the new changes.